Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading ABOUT THE BEGINNING.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading ABOUT THE BEGINNING.

past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

a young person of either sex

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

the state of being employed or having a job

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

at any time

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “fish” — any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

the act of giving

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the act of departing

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

an established custom

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

plural of “habit” — an established custom

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

a message received and understood

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

express in words

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

express in words

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ABOUT THE BEGINNING.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

under normal conditions

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

precisely as stated

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading Most of them are called works of Natural History; and they usually give some description of the birds and beasts, fishes and insects, that are known to man.

produce a literary work

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading Many books have been written about animals, and very good books too, giving a great deal of information.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I am not going to write such a book as that; but to say a little about different kinds of creatures that we are all in the habit of seeing, and to tell you a few things of some which have belonged to me, or have come under my own observation; so that, at least, I can promise to write nothing but what I know to be true.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading I have not learned their characters and habits from books, but by watching them ever since I was a very young child; and many a happy hour I have spent in that delightful employment.